Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has continued to distance himself from alleged leaders of the so-called Big Five cartel, despite conceding before the Madlanga Commission that some of his dealings with the late taxi boss Jotham “Mswazi” Msibi went beyond the security services he initially described as the basis of their relationship.
Matlala, who has been accused of succeeding Msibi and Steven Motsumi as a leader of the alleged criminal network, told the commission that he knew both men but insisted he did not have close personal relationships with them.
WhatsApp chats raise questions
Matlala’s relationship with Msibi came under renewed scrutiny after evidence leader Mahlape Sello presented WhatsApp exchanges between the two men.
The messages reportedly covered a range of business-related matters, including payment notifications referencing businessman Hangwani Maumela, documents relating to the possible purchase of an aircraft, a proposal for a lounge at OR Tambo International Airport and discussions around the sale of a vehicle.
Commissioner Sesi Baloyi challenged Matlala over the exchanges, saying they appeared to show that his relationship with Msibi went beyond that of a security service provider and client.
Matlala maintained that he had been sharing information about his business projects with the older businessman.
“Yes, commissioner, I just didn’t say that. I also said that most of the time I’ll go be with him. He even called me a son. But he was not my friend,” Matlala told the commission.
He added that he had not regarded Msibi as a close friend and maintained that his primary business relationship with him involved providing security services.
‘My definition of a relationship is something else’
Matlala also addressed his broader dealings with Msibi, saying that occasional interactions did not necessarily mean the two had a close relationship.
“I think my definition of a relationship is something else,” he said.
“I cannot say because I called him or he borrowed me a speedboat or I sent him a WhatsApp, then we have more than a relationship. I know people who had more of a relationship with Mr Msibi and I cannot compare that with what I had with him.”
However, Matlala eventually conceded that his dealings with Msibi had gone beyond security work, including an attempt by the pair to jointly purchase an aircraft.
Msibi, a founding member of the South African National Taxi Council, died in January 2024 after a short illness. He has been identified during testimony at the commission as an alleged leader of the Big Five cartel.
The commission has heard evidence alleging that the network operated as a structured criminal organisation with connections to state institutions, politicians and private-sector interests.
R20 million loan from Motsumi
Matlala also denied having extensive dealings with another alleged Big Five figure, businessman Steve Motsumi, although he acknowledged receiving substantial financial assistance from him.
“I confirm that I know Mr Motsumi and that I have done a commercial transaction with him wherein his company had lent and advanced one of my companies an amount of R5 million,” Matlala said.
He further told the commission that Motsumi had provided loans totalling R20 million as start-up capital for the Medicare24 contract. Matlala said the money had been repaid and insisted that his relationship with Motsumi was limited to business.
Motsumi has business interests across several sectors, including security, construction, mining, money lending and the taxi industry.
Matlala previously testified that Msibi had introduced him to Motsumi.
Commission probes alleged criminal network
The latest testimony forms part of the Madlanga Commission’s ongoing examination of alleged links between businessmen, police officials and figures accused of being involved in organised crime.
Evidence before the commission has also implicated Sergeant Fannie Nkosi as an alleged middleman between Matlala, Motsumi and suspended deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.
Matlala has previously alleged that he gave Sibiya impalas as a gift in connection with assistance linked to the controversial Medicare24 contract. He has since declined to answer further questions about the matter, saying it is under investigation by the Independent Directorate Against Corruption.
While Matlala has consistently denied being closely connected to the alleged Big Five cartel, his latest testimony has placed renewed focus on the extent of his dealings with some of the network’s alleged key figures.
